Gang prevention program receives $10,000 donation from DA's Office

The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office has contributed $10,000 to the Redwood Children's Service gang education program, according to a press release from the District Attorney's Office.

The contribution will allow anti-gang education to continue in the county. The anti-gang program, called Gang Resistance Is Paramount, or GRIP, has been used in schools countywide, and focuses on educating fifth-grade students about the dangers of gangs, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol and gang-related crimes, according to the press release.

"GRIP is the type of program I want to help with my continued support, and I encourage concerned citizens living in our communities to also financially support GRIP's ongoing mission," said Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster.

Eyster said the money will be allocated from the district attorney's asset forfeiture account. This type of account includes seized assets from drug traffickers which may be subject to forfeiture and have strict rules regarding how they may be used, according to the press release.

However, Eyster's asset forfeiture account may be used to support organizations, such as GRIP, that seek to mitigate youth gang and drug problems through proactive educational programs, according to the press release.

GRIP started in 2004, and is based on a statewide model program developed in the city of Paramount, and is a curriculum-based program for all fifth-grade classrooms within the Ukiah Unified School District, according to the press release. The program was expanded to students in Fort Bragg, Anderson Valley and Willits in 2007, and later to students in Laytonville, Covelo and Potter Valley.

Kristin Frith, GRIP coordinator, said the DA's Office contribution will help with updating media material used in classrooms.

"Many of the resources we use were purchased 10 years ago, and, as you might guess, they are in great need of updating," Frith said.